You have to catch shingles as soon as the blisters appear then, and only then, a course of tablets can be given which knocks it down quite quickly. Even then it takes six or seven weeks to heal. After two days there is no chance for the tablets to work as it's too established.



Painkillers are good, calamine lotion or other assuaging cream that cools whilst not sealing the surface helps.



Other than that there is little that can be done.



Sadly when older people obtain shingles it can take a long time to obtain over it.

Shingles is a miserable complaint & I do sympathise with your father. It is a viral condition which responds to Acyclovir IF it's caught within the first 24 - 48 hours. Once it's established, the Acyclovir doesn't work.

Effective painkillers are needed, as well as the calomine lotion suggested by another 'answerer'. If the nerve pain is really unbearable - & it often is - then a drug called Amytriptylene might be used. This takes 2 to 3 weeks to make a difference, so patience is needed.



Shingles can take a long time to sprint its course. If it's possible, ensure that your father has a good deal of fluids & a nourishing diet. Even if he only feels like consuming a minute amount, make it 'count' in food value terms. He requirements to build up his strength and his immune system.



I do hope he feels better soon.